Low-cost flat residents see their lot getting better

CES in collaboration with Malaysian Medical Fellowhip, Best Hearing and Save One Sight organised the medical camp in Taman Desaria, the first medical attention most residents have had in three years.

THINGS are looking up for residents of Taman Desaria low-cost flats in PJS 5, Petaling Jaya as offers of help pour in to improve their living conditions.

They have had to put up with sub-standard accommodation such as dark and dingy staircases, clogged drains and poor maintenance for years.

Kelana Jaya MP Wong Chen said several projects to improve their living conditions have begun with the help of the private sector.

For a start, the communal space on the ground floor has been recemented.

With better surroundings, residents are making a conscious effort not to park their motorcycles on the pavement or throw garbage down.

“We have made the staircase railings out of bricks instead of steel as they were being stolen,” said Wong Chen, adding that he and Seri Setia assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad are also using their official development allocation.

Earlier this year, StarMetro highlighted the plight of residents living in the six-floor apartment blocks, most of whom are from the low-income group.

Other concerned parties have also come forward to help the residents, including Community Excel Services (CES) in collaboration with Malaysian Medical Fellowship, Best Hearing and Save One’s Sight which organised a medical camp.

CES director Margaret Loy said they provide medical attention and dispense medication as well as conduct hearing and eye checks.

“Qualified doctors attend to the patients after the medical undergraduates take their vital signs,” she added.

The camp was conducted at the tabika (kindergarten) and Rukun Tetangga offices.

Students from the Taylor’s Education Group also gave free tuition to residents’ children every alternate Saturday.

Lim Siew Quen said they also wanted to provide a more conducive study environment for the children.

“We plan to raise funds to repair the room and close the drains outside the Tabika,” she added.